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2019 Audi RS

Gas
Subcompact Cars
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
44 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns7
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA8
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA22 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019

The 2019 Audi RS is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RS 3, is EPA-rated at 22 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 8 complaints, most often about the engine.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
RS 3GasAWD2.5L 5-cyl turbo192822$3,500
RS 5GasAWD2.9L 6-cyl turbo182721$3,700
RS 5 SportbackGasAWD2.9L 6-cyl turbo172620$3,900

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 41423, 40993, 41010.

Factory warranty running out?

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Recalls (7)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Suspension

42L5
31,058 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.RiskRear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
NHTSA campaign 22V034000reported Jan 26, 2022Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Seats

74E3
208,332 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.RiskA disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.FixDealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.
NHTSA campaign 21V874000reported Nov 10, 2021Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Suspension

42L1
40,993 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.RiskA broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
NHTSA campaign 21V295000reported Apr 26, 2021Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
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Air Bags

69BY
153,152 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.RiskA deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.FixDealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
NHTSA campaign 21V198000reported Mar 22, 2021Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Electrical System

27i6
2,355 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Coupe vehicles. An incorrect positive battery terminal cover was installed.RiskIn the event of a rear crash, the incorrect cover can cause the 12-volt power supply to be compromised, preventing the vehicle doors from being opened from the outside, or the hazard warning lights from functioning, increasing risk of injury.FixAudi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive terminal cover, free of charge. The recall began January 19, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 27i6.
NHTSA campaign 20V760000reported Dec 9, 2020Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
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Air Bags

74D9
145,337 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.RiskA disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.FixAudi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.
NHTSA campaign 19V547000reported Jul 24, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Air Bags

69Z4
138,896 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.RiskA deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.FixAudi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.
NHTSA campaign 19V474000reported Jun 19, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

NHTSA defect investigations

Fuel System, Gasoline — Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647) closed

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which

Opened Dec 12, 2023 · closed Jul 1, 2024 · action RQ23007

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
8complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 4

Most-cited components

Engine3
Electrical System3
Power Train1
Air Bags1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Back Over Prevention1

What owners describe

“The water pump has failed twice in under 46,000 miles, first was at 3000 miles 2nd was at 46000 miles”Sep 3, 2025 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“SOS malfunction , B18BD11 code, is set off intermittently while driving. A Loud SOS alert distracts driver due to imtermittemt cable short. Defective cable needs replacing.”Jul 24, 2025 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“Could you please make Audi add my car to the recall list? Thank you- Audi has issued a recall for certain models due to a software issue affecting the Emergency Call (SOS) system. This malfunction can prevent the system from establishing an online connection and receiving cell broadcast messages, potentially hindering …”Jun 17, 2025 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆11%
4 DR AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other RS model years

A

2026 Audi RS

1 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2025 Audi RS

1 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2024 Audi RS

1 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2023 Audi RS

2 recalls · 0 complaints

F

2022 Audi RS

7 recalls · 1 complaints

F

2021 Audi RS

13 recalls · 10 complaints

A

2020 Audi RS

1 recalls · 1 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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